Loud speaker



R. B. WHEELAN LOUD SPEAKER Filed March 29, 1924 VENTOR s QM Y M .MW u ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 10, 1928.

ROBERT B. WHEELAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

L UD SPEAKER.

Application filed March 29, 1924. Serial No. 702,708.

This invention relates to an improved loud speaker, the utility of which will not be limited to the projection of sound waves.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device of the character stated which will evenly distribute the sound-waves and which will possess a mellow tone.

A further object is that of furnishing a loud speaker which will present an ornamental and pleasing appearance.

An additional object is that of providing an object of the nature aforementioned which will efliciently perform the purpose for which it is intended and which will also be economically and readily manufactured and assembled.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation ,of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claim.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection wlth the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a partly sectional side elevation of one form of loud-speaker which may be manufactured within the terms of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the amplifying ortion of the loud speaker as shown in %ig. 3. is a fragmentary sectional side view of another form of the invention.

Fi 4' is a sectional lan view taken along the lines 44 and in t e direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 isa View similar to Fig. 3, but showing still another form of loudspeaker.

According to its preferred form, the invention includes the thought of a lamp of more or less conventional construction, modified in certain particulars, however, so that while it retains its ornamental and useful qualities, it may additionally be em plo ed as a loud speaker which will have a mel ow and pleasing tone, and will faithfull render various acoustical effects.

accordance with conventional construction, the lamp may include a base 10, to which is attached a standard 11, conveniently havi ease-like appearance, and which standus, as in Fig. 1 it will be seen that in ard supports adjacent its upper end, and preferably in manners hereinafter set forth,

.an illuminating element such as an electric bulb 12, as well as a suitable shade 13.

However, contrary to conventional construction, it will be perceived that the lower end of the standard 11 is enlarged to provide a casing 14,.which in the present instance receives a loud speaking unit, the action of which, if desired, may be regulated in any preferred manner, as for example by means of mechanism controlled by a dial 15. Thus, it being understood that the loud speaking unit is connected with any desirable output by 'means of wires (not shown), this unit will act to project sound waves through the whole body of the standard.

Now, with a View of supporting the bulb 12, as well as the shade 13, it will be noted that it is preferred that a plate 16 be utilized, which is provided with a socket 17 in its upper face for the reception of the bulb, this plate being mounted at the upper end of the standard 11, and having its outer edges bearing against the inner face of the shade, and if desired, the body of the plate may be of transparent material so that no interference will be encountered by the downwardly projecting lightrays emanating from the bulb.

11 order to eflicaciously conduct the sound waves from within the amplifier provided bfy the standard 11, and to evenly distribute t e same from the loud speaker, it will be noted that in the present instance, i. e., Fig. 1, the upper edges of the standard 11 are notched, as at 18, so that there are spaces extant between the under face of the plate 16 and certain of the upper edges of the standard. Also the plate, preferably has its under face of a concavo-convex form so as to provide a sound deflector, it being thus understood that the sound waves originatin in the loud speaker unit will be conducte through the standard and amplified therein, after which they will be deflected by the stem on the under face of the late so as to be evenly distributed against t e entire inner surface of the shade 13, which in itself will act as a horn.

Referrin to the construction shown in Figs. 3 an 4, it will be noted that similarly to the construction aforedescribed, a standard in the nature of an amplifier 19 is employed, and. a band 20 is suitably secured described in the prece ing figures and referring finally to the construction shown in Fig. 5, it will be noted that in that form of the inventionthe bulb 26 is carried 1n a socket 27, which is mounted upon brackets 28, suitably attached to the upper end of the standard or horn 29, and a spider 30 may be used which bears against the body of the bulb and in turn mounts a shade 31 on the inner face and adjacent the upper end of which a suitable sound deflector 32 is pro vide.

It will be understood that all of the foregoing parts may be made of any desirable material, but it is preferred, that while the standard may be of wood, iron, vitreous material, etc., etc., that the horn of the loud speaker, i. e.', in the present instance the shade portion of the lamp, shall be of parchment or similar materia By the use of a substance of this nature it has been found that extremely mellow and pleasing acoustical effects are produced, and where constructions similar to those shown in the illustrations are employed, itwill be understood that due to the forms ado ted, the sound waves will be distributed ra ially and evenly so that the acoustical effects may be heard throughout the entire room in which the loud speaker may be situated. Also it will be ap- 22, as well 'preciated that the supporting surface against which the lamp is placed will act as a distributor of the sound waves in that in addition to their being projected in radial directions, they will also be projected against the supporting surface adjacent which the lamp is situate From the foregoing, it will be understood that the objects of this invention have been accomplished and it will be appreciated that since certain changes and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, that it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A loud speaker, including a base, a standard extending upwardly from said base, a downwardly-extending shade spaced from and positioned adjacent the upper end of said standard and extending toward said base, and a sound-deflecting element associated with said shade and extending from a point centrally above the upper end of said standard to oints adjacent the inner faces of said sha e, said base bein hollow and receiving a loud speaker unit, said standard having a bore connected with said base, and said shade acting as a horn directing the sound waves emanating from said unit and passing through the standard bore against the surface supporting said base.

In testimony whereo I afiix my signature.

ROBERT B. WIIEELAN. 

